This shape is referred to as Kannon-biraki in Japanese. Kannon is the Japanese name of the Buddhist goddess of mercy (Skt. Avalokiteshvara). In everyday speech, Kannon-biraki refers to a type of double (or "French") door, originally used in cabinets containing images of the goddess.

A duller name would be 37-44-73 enclosure. This is one of a number of unusual three-stone enclosures that are being seen more frequently in pro games.

3-3 point invasion

3-3 invasion becomes ko

This sequence occurred in a game of Dosaku (in 1678) and also in a game Yu Bin-Seo Pong-su in 2000. at a, at b, at c sets up a ko; if White wins the ko the damage to Black's position will be serious, so this may almost be a picnic ko from White's point of view.

3-3 invasion alternative

If White really wants to avoid ko, she could play here, in place of c, for unconditional life. at looks intimidating, but is an overplay.

Query part I: Following the previous sequence but without playing the eye-steal - This is still a better reduction than the second diagram isn't it?

3-3 invasion alternative

Query part II: Assuming the aji on the outside is just too much worse and the previous diagram ends up better, then I guess this is probably a fairly interesting continuation to have in the page (even if just for ko threats. As far as I can see, :w17: is required here for life, else it seems the vital point. If tenuki, then:

Other invasions

Other invasions

In practice, Black probably played at least one of the marked stones as a checking extension against a corresponding white stone. That makes the marked points interesting as possible invasions for White: if they connect out, a weak white group will gain in strength.

Query

How to deal with this situation?

spindizzy1976 This is a situation which I have been caught in recently, where I tried to invade in a 2-stone handicap game. At first glance it looks like playing at a might give a ko, but actually maybe not? Anyway, I connected at b and ended up dying. Can anyone suggest what I should have done? Is it impossible to invade here?

kb: Playing at a gives a ko. It is probably your best option here - especially if Black is strong on the outside (Black has at least the marked stone supporting the butterfly formation). You can try to run but most likely you will be cut and die. If you are strong in the surrounding area, go ahead and run - punish your opponent for their overplay at .

Black killing attempt

If Black is strong on the outside, can he not play to kill instead of ko?